Cannabis Cooking: Recipes, Dosing & Kitchen Tips

Cooking with cannabis opens up a world of possibilities beyond the classic pot brownie. Whether you're making infused butter for baked goods, cannabis oil for savory dishes, or homemade gummies, understanding the science behind decarboxylation and dosing is the difference between a great edible experience and a regrettable one.

Decarboxylation: The Essential First Step

Raw cannabis contains THCA, which is non-psychoactive. To convert THCA into active THC, you need to apply heat — a process called decarboxylation (or "decarbing"). Without this step, your edibles won't produce the desired effects.

1. Preheat oven to 240°F (115°C).
2. Break up flower into small, pea-sized pieces. Don't grind too fine.
3. Spread evenly on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
4. Bake for 40 minutes, stirring halfway through.
5. Remove when flower turns golden-brown and fragrant.

Making Cannabutter

Cannabutter is the foundation of most cannabis cooking. THC is fat-soluble, meaning it binds to the fat in butter during a low-heat infusion process.

1. Combine 1 cup (2 sticks) of unsalted butter with 1 cup of water in a saucepan. The water prevents the butter from burning.
2. Add decarbed cannabis — typically 7–10 grams for a standard batch.
3. Simmer on low heat (160–180°F) for 2–3 hours, stirring occasionally. Never let it boil.
4. Strain through cheesecloth into a container, squeezing out all the liquid.
5. Refrigerate overnight. The butter will solidify on top; discard the water underneath.

Cannabutter stores well in the refrigerator for up to two weeks or in the freezer for up to six months. Label it clearly and keep it away from children and pets.

Making Cannabis-Infused Oil

Cannabis oil is more versatile than butter — it works in savory dishes, salad dressings, sauces, and baked goods. Coconut oil is the preferred base because its high saturated fat content binds THC efficiently.

The process is identical to cannabutter: combine 1 cup of coconut oil (or olive oil) with 7–10 grams of decarbed cannabis, simmer at 160–180°F for 2–3 hours, strain, and store. Coconut oil infusions tend to be slightly more potent than butter because of the higher fat saturation.

Dosing Calculations

Proper dosing is the most important part of cooking with cannabis. Too little and you feel nothing; too much and you have a miserable experience. Here's how to calculate doses:

If your flower is 20% THC and you use 7 grams (7,000 mg), the total THC is approximately 7,000 x 0.20 = 1,400 mg. Assume 80–90% extraction efficiency, giving you roughly 1,120–1,260 mg of THC in your butter or oil. If you make 28 servings (like a batch of brownies), each serving contains approximately 40–45 mg of THC.

• Beginner dose: 2.5–5 mg THC per serving.
• Moderate dose: 5–15 mg THC per serving.
• Experienced dose: 15–30 mg THC per serving.
• High dose: 30–50+ mg THC per serving (experienced users only).

Simple Recipes to Start With

Classic Cannabis Brownies

Use any boxed brownie mix and substitute the butter or oil with your cannabutter or cannabis coconut oil. Follow the box instructions exactly — the only difference is the fat source. Cut into even pieces and calculate the dosage per piece based on the total THC in your infusion.

Homemade Cannabis Gummies

Combine 1/2 cup fruit juice, 2 tablespoons of cannabis-infused coconut oil, and 2 tablespoons of unflavored gelatin. Heat gently (don't boil), stir until smooth, pour into silicone molds, and refrigerate for 2 hours. Each batch makes about 30 gummies — divide your total THC by 30 for per-gummy dosing.

Kitchen Tips and Safety

• Never exceed 340°F in your final cooking temperature. THC degrades rapidly above this point, reducing potency.
• Mix thoroughly. Uneven mixing means inconsistent dosing — some servings will be strong and others weak.
• Label everything clearly. Infused foods look identical to regular foods and should never be accessible to children or unsuspecting adults.
• Store infusions properly in airtight containers in the fridge or freezer. Cannabis edibles are perishable.
• Start with known potency: Buy flower from a licensed dispensary with lab-tested THC percentages for accurate dosing.
• Cook with friends, not alone — especially your first time. Having someone experienced to guide the process helps avoid mistakes.

Browse flower and concentrates to find the right starting material for your infusions.